Dispensing apparatus



June 7, 1938. M. H. SACHAROW DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 6, 1936 MAURICE/z Jae/9,400

ATTORNEYfi Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES DISPENSING APPARATUS Maurice H. Sacharow,

Cleveland Heights, Ohio Application January 6, 1936, Serial No. 57,669

10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in dispensing apparatus, particularly apparatus for dispensing tooth powder and the like.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of means for laying down a predetermined amount of powder upon a tooth brush when the latter is projected into the casing of the apparatus, the dispensing of the powder being controlled automatically by the movement of the brush into the casing.

Another object is the provision of apparatus of this character wherein a bottle or like container may be employed as a replaceable part of the powder holder, and particularly where the bottle neck is shaped to assist in the even distribution of the powder lengthwise of the brush.

Still another object is the provision of means for collecting and disposing of surplus powder.

A further object is the provision of means for starting the dispensing of powder at a point spaced fromthe extremity of the brush, where it would be especially subject-to spillage.

Other objects and features of novelty will appear as I proceed with the description of those embodiments of the invention which, for the purposes of the present application, are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal View of an apparatus embodying the invention, including a fragmentary showing of a bottle in position in the hopper.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on the line Z2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a further transverse section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified construction in which is mounted a bottle of ordinary form.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is a fragmental view, partly in vertical section, showing a bottle with a rectangular neck mounted in a hopper like that of Figs. 4 and 5, and

Fig. 8 is a cross section taken substantially on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

The apparatus with which the present invention is concerned is intended for one-hand operation, that is to say by the mere insertion of a tooth brush a predetermined quantity of tooth powder is caused to be deposited evenly along a predetermined length of the brush. It is necessary to provide spring means toresist the movement of the tooth brush and return the parts to normal position after operation, and hence it is essential either to make the apparatus heavy so that it will not be readily dislodged when resting on a table or other support, or to attach it to a fixed support. I prefer the latter alternative and have so illustrated the invention.

I have shown a body member or casing comprising two side walls l0, each of which has an inwardly directed flange at the top of the casing. The forward portions of these flanges .are straight, as indicated at II in Fig. 3. To the rear of these straight flange portions there are other flange portions l2, shown in section'in Fig. 2. These curved flange portions l2 form a seat for a shelf I3, preferably semi-cylindrical, formed at the bottom of .a sheet metal hopper l4.

At their rear ends the walls In of the body member are provided with tabs H: which are projected through slots formed in a back member I6, the tabs being folded down against the rear surface of the back to make a tight joint. I provide a pair of separated base members i! preferably formed integral with the back It. For this purpose the sheet of metal from which the back is formed is given a right angle bend, after which a rectangular central section is out from the remainder leaving the members i i which are directed outwardly or forwardly from the back at a right angle. Slots I9 may be punched in the base members i! if desired, in order to utilize those members as a tooth brush holder.

The inner edges of the base members I! are folded upwardly around the walls It! of the body, as indicated in Figs. 2, 3, and 6, and these flanges are utilized further as tracks as for a drawer 42 having outturned flanges 43 cooperating with the aforesaid tracks. Lengthwise of the drawer I mount a plurality of wires 44 separated sufficiently to permit free flow of powder into the drawer while supporting a brush inserted into the apparatus.

The forward end of the body may be reenforced and given a finished appearance by the application of a frame 20 which is angular in cross section so as to embrace the body and also to cover the sharp edge of the metal of which the body members are constructed.

On the rear surface of back member I6 I secure by welding or otherwise, or by striking out from the back itself, a horizontal loop member 22 which is adapted to be slipped over a hook of suitable character fastened to a supporting wall.

The shelf l3 of the hopper is soldered or otherwise secured to the curved flanges l2 of the body member. In thefo'rm of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 therejis a rounded shoulder 23 against which the rim of a bottle 24 rests when placed in position in the apparatus. The neck of the bottle preferably fits the upper cylindrical 'end of the hopper snugly, so that when the bottle is in position'it is yieldably held there against accidental displacement. f course in practice, when it is a r desired to put a new bottle of powder into the apparatus, the casing is removed from the wall, inverted, .and slipped. over the neck of the bottle from which the cork has been previously removed. When the two parts are thus secured to gether, the assembly of the casing and'bottle is turned over and mounted on the wall;

The hopper M has an opening -25 at one end 7 just above the curved shelf l3. It is' through this opening that powder is discharged; Theopening is normally closed by an approximately semicircular'plate 26 which is carried by a flat bar 2 1. At the opposite end of the shelf 13 when the parts are; in'normal position there is a scraper 28, also'carried by bar 21, and of the same shape andsize as plate 26. Between-the plate 26 and scraper 28' the bar 2'! is provided with a rlatively wide s1ot29, through which powder may descend and-cover the shelf I3.- Just above the scraper 28 there is a pin '30 which has a powderstirring or agitating function when the bar 2'! is 'moved longitudinally. The forward end of the barZlis turned downwardly and formed into a semi-cylindrical plate 3!, similar to 'the parts 26'and; 28, this plate being'slotted on each side toreceive the flanges] I. By this means the for- I ward'end of bar 21 is guided. r V a on the rear endof'barflithere is a depending arm 32 which projects downwardly through the space between the curved flanges l2 of the bodymemben but is somewhat'wider than that space and is slotted-to: receive those flanges slidably, whereby the rear end of the bar is guided.

The arm '32isf urged forward by a flatspring 33 1 which is {secured to 'theb a'ck lfi preferably by V soldered. The forward endof being projected through a slot; in the back and bentiup against the back, to-which:it.may:be the spring-bears powder, which is deposited progressively on the brush in' even amount as the brush moves rearwardly. At the same time I prevent powder from falling-down onto theshelf to the rear' of the traveling scraper 28,- this being effected by the portion of the bar 21 to the rear offthe scraper,

which portion acts as a tongue bridging the space facrossf-the semi-cylindrical shelf. The bar 21 being efficiently guided at both its rear and forward endsf'cannot tilt due to the action of spring 33' or otherwise.

Asisoori as the brush has been pushed into the casing .as far as it will go, and

the delivery of powderhas beencompleted, the brush iswithdrawn and the spring 33 returns theparts to their normal position, a new supply of powder falling onto the shelf [3, andithe plate ZSadvancing to close the opening 25;

In order to keep thetooth brush centrally arranged as it is--'movedinto the casing I; may

Allis shown with its rim gripped supply spring guides 34 which are secured to the inner wallsof body member ,ID at 35.

In the apparatus above described it is contempla'tedthat a bottle 24 with an ordinary round neck will be employed. I prefer however to use a special bottle with a transversely elongated rectangular neck, as illustrated at 3B in Figs. '7 and 8. The hopper may be constructed to receive such a bottle only, or it maybe formed as illustrated at 31 in Figs. 4, 7 and-8, so as to' receive a' round necked or a rectangular necked bottle interchangeably. In this case thesaidel'e- .ments of the hopper have end portions 38 that are straight and intermediate portions 391that are curved. Grooves 40 extend throughout both of these side-portions and are adapted to releasably grip the rim of either type of bottle, due

to the resilience .of-the metal of which the hopper is made. Because of the fact that the slot 29 is necessarily long and narrow, to'correspond with the shape of; the brush,.the rectangular necked bottle cooperates with the'slot in itsidelivery. powder to better'advantage than a round necked bottle. In Fig. 4 however a round necked'bottle V by the curved portions of the grooves.

When the apparatusis properlyoperated there.

is very littleispillage of powder, butin orderto catch whatever powder may fall: off ,thefbriish while it is in the casing I :prefer to employ the small sheet metal drawer 42. previously described.

casing. .Whenever any considerableamount 'of powder collectsin the drawer, the latter is pulle out and emptied, and then replaced.:. The operation'of the apparatus will be obvi- The wireslM of this drawerform a supportfor 7 the brush'when' the latter is inserted-into the ous from the foregoin'gdescription of its construc- 7 131011. ,One point which is to be noted however is that I space thedepending arm 32 somewhat beyond the hopper, that is in the normal position of the parts. Th is'is for the purpose of preventing the deposit of powder upon the very tip of the brush, because that is the. part of the brush from'wh'ich the powder spills most readily.

The length of the shelf l3 should also be such' that the delivery of powder will stop before the I rear end of the'bristle portion of the brush comes 1 beneath the opening 25. The forwardend of the shelf l3 may be closed except for a slot to accommodate the bar 21. However, itis satisfactory to leave this end of the shelf openalso, as illustrated in Fig. l, as the scraper 28 maybe 7 relied upon to prevent powder, fromsifting down when the parts are in normal position;

. Having thus described my inventionQI claim:

1. In a dispenser of the character. described, a container arranged with its discharge end down,

a shelf at the bottom of the container onto which material may be deposited from the container,

said container having. an opening therethrough directly above'one e nd of saidshelf, a scraper movable along said shelf toward said opening;

anda depending arm operatively connected with said scraper through said opening; whereby movement of the arm may beefiected in a forward direction by'means of a brush projected intofthe dispenser,;thereby causingthe scraperto push' material out of said opening onto the brush.

f2. In a dispenseriof the character described, a container arranged'with its discharge enddown,

a shelf at the bottom of the container onto which material may be. deposited from the container,

said container having an openingi'therethrough.

directly above; one end of said shelf, a scraper movable along said shelf toward said opening, and a depending arm operatively connected with said scraper through said opening, said arm being spaced a substantial distance from said opening in the normal position of the parts, whereby movement of the arm may be effected in a forward direction by means of a brush projected into the dispenser, thereby causing the scraper to push material out of said opening onto the brush.

3. In a dispenser of the character described, a container arranged with its discharge end down, a shelf at the bottom of the container onto which material may be deposited from the container, said container having an opening therethrough directly above one end of said shelf, a scraper movable along said shelf toward said opening, and a depending arm operatively connected with said scraper through said opening, whereby movement of the arm may be effected in a forward direction by means of a brush projected into the dispenser, thereby causing the scraper to push material out of said opening onto the brush, said operative connection carrying a closure adapted to substantially fill said opening in the normal position of the parts.

4. In a dispenser of the character described, a container arranged with its discharge end down, a shelf at the bottom of the container onto which material may be deposited from the container, said container having an opening therethrough directly above one end of said shelf, a scraper movable along said shelf toward said opening, and a depending arm operatively connected with said scraper through said opening, whereby movement of the arm may be efi'ected in a forward direction by means of a brush projected into the dispenser, thereby causing the scraper to push material out of said opening onto the brush, said operative connection carrying a closure adapted to substantially fill said opening in the normal position of the parts, and said depending arm being spaced a substantial distance from said closure.

5. In a dispenser of the character described, a container arranged with its discharge end down, a shelf at the bottom of the container onto which material may be deposited from the container, said container having an opening therethrough directly above one end of said shelf, a scraper movable along said shelf toward said opening, a depending arm operatively connected with said scraper through said opening, whereby movement of the arm may be effected in a forward direction by means of a brush projected into the dispenser, thereby causing the scraper to push material out of said opening onto the brush.

6. In a dispenser of the character described, a container arranged with its discharge end down, a shelf at the bottom of the container onto which material may be deposited from the container, said container having an opening therethrough directly above one end of said shelf, a scraper movable along said shelf toward said opening, a closure for the opening rigidly connected with said scraper and adapted to substantially fill the opening in the normal position of the parts, and

a depending arm rigidly connected with said closure forwardly of the same, whereby movement of the arm may be effected in a forward direction by means of a brush projected into the dispenser, thereby causing the scraper to push material out of said opening onto the brush.

7. In a dispenser of the character described, a container arranged with its discharge end down, a shelf at the bottom of the container onto which material may be deposited from the container, said container having an opening therethrough directly above one end of said shelf, a scraper movable along said shelf toward said opening, a closure for the opening rigidly connected with said scraper and adapted to substantially fill the opening in the normal position of the parts, a

depending arm rigidly connected with said closure forwardly of the same, whereby movement of the arm may be effected in a forward direction by means of a brush projected into the dispenser, thereby causing the scraper to push ma- .1:

terial out of said opening onto the brush, and

a tongue attached to said scraper and adapted to 7 cover said shelf to the rear of the scraper as the latter moves toward said opening, whereby the amount of material passed through the opening for a given reciprocation of the scraper is definitely limited.

8. In a dispenser for tooth powder and the like, an elongated casing having an opening in one end through which a tooth brush may be projected, means for depositing powder onto said brush while it is within the casing, and a drawer in the bottom of said casing adapted to receive surplus powder, said drawer comprising a foraminous top.

9. In a dispenser of the character described, a container arranged with its discharge end down, a shelf at the bottom of the container onto which material may be deposited from the container,

said container having an opening therethrough in a ,line with said shelf, the dispenser having 'a brush receiving compartment below said opening, a scraper movable along said shelf toward said opening, and an arm operatively connected with said scraper in position for engagement by the forward end of the brush, whereby movement of the brush forwardly beneath the shelf causes the scraper to push material out of said opening.

10. In a dispenser of the character described, a casing having an upwardly extending resilient sheet metal hopper, means in the casing for depositing material from the hopper onto a brush when the latter is projected into the casing, the wall of the hopper having therein a horizontal groove for receiving and resiliently retaining the bead on a beaded neck container.

MAURICE H. SACHAROW. 

